Abstract:In order to assess the impact of mercury emission from rural low-source coal combustion on surrounding agricultural soils, the content and distribution of total mercury, methylmercury and mercury forms in soil samples were determined, and pollution levels and potential ecological risks were evaluated. The results show that the average concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury are (0.37±0.08) mg/kg and (0.67±0.35) μg/kg, respectively, less than the risk screening values for soil contamination of agricultural land, and ratios of the above-standard values are 1.71 and 2.03 times of the background values, respectively. The results of single-factor index, geoaccumulation index and potential ecological risk assessment show that the total mercury in soil is moderate and below, the methylmercury in soil is severe and below, and the main ecological risk of total mercury is moderate. The analysis of mercury speciation indicates that the residue and organic combination forms are the main forms of mercury in soil, which has potential environmental risks.